Councillor claims DUP jeopardising Derry housing plans

The construction of new homes in Derry must not be derailed by the DUP’s refusal to return to the Executive, local Sinn Féin Councillor Emma McGinley has said.

Cllr. McGinley was commenting ahead of tabling a motion on the issue to be discussed at next week’s full meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Cllr. McGinley commented: “Before the DUP collapsed the Executive, then Sinn Féin Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey launched a plan which will see the construction of over 100,000 homes over the next 15 years giving more people access to social and affordable homes.

“Given the level of housing need in this city, that is a crucial initiative.

"However, like all Executive projects there is now a huge deal of uncertainty over this plan as a result of the DUP’s ongoing refusal to return to power-sharing.

“My motion will therefore be calling on the department to reaffirm its commitment to this plan.

“That is important because we cannot allow one party’s reckless and self-serving boycott of the political institutions to jeopardise vital investment in areas like housing and healthcare.

“I will be also calling on the other progressive parties to back my motion and send a clear message to the DUP that they should get back to work so that we can get on with delivering key projects such as this.”